How to Plan a Day Trip to Bruges from Brussels

Brussels is great, but if you want the fairytale stuff, you’ll need to get out of Belgium’s capital city and visit Bruges, just over an hour from Brussels by train.

Bruges was everything I expected it to be, all dreamy canals and a general sense of whimsy we weren’t getting out of Brussels.

A day trip to Bruges from Brussels is one of the easiest excursions you can manage on trips to the Belgian city. The only problem is that you may have some regrets about not staying overnight. This town is just that cute.

Quick Tips for Your Bruges Visit

Your Flight: Seek out deals to Brussels Airport using Skyscanner. Love deals? Subscribe to Going.

Your Accommodations: Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for options in Brussels or even Bruges if you’d like to stay overnight. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

Top Spots: Have brunch at House of Waffles, wander around Minnewater Lake, and try Belgian beer at De Garre.

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Is a day trip to Bruges from Brussels worth it?

Yes! A day trip to Bruges from Brussels is absolutely worth it if you want to see Bruges’ preserved medieval architecture, canals, and historic center without changing hotels. The train ride is short, and you can see the highlights in a few hours.

We only had a full day in Bruges and felt like that was a perfect amount of time to get a feel for the city. There’s certainly plenty to do to spend a full weekend there, but it’s still worth the trek if you’re limited on time.

How far is Bruges from Brussels?

Bruges is about 62 miles from Brussels. You can make that happen in a little over an hour by train if you choose the direct option. That’s faster than driving.

How to Get From Brussels to Bruges

The easiest way to get to Bruges from Brussels is to take any of the frequent trains that run between the two cities.

Brussels to Bruges by Train

We chose one of the early trains to get into Bruges by about 10am. Get yourself to Brussels Central Station — also known as Gare de Bruxelles-Central in French and Station Brussel-Centraal in Dutch — for the most options.

Buying tickets in advance isn’t necessary. There are lots of daily trains running for this day trip, so you likely won’t need to wait long for one even if you don’t plan ahead.

Note: If you want to plan your timing, timetables are available online, but you still don’t need tickets in advance.

You can purchase train tickets at the station at one of the ticketing machines once you’ve chosen a time. Arrive 15 minutes before your expected train is set to depart to account for ticketing machine failures and to locate your platform.

We returned to Brussels on one of the later trains, arriving back in the city center a little after 10pm. Be mindful of timing on your return, as service can be less frequent on trains after dinner.

Should you book a Bruges tour instead?

You don’t need to book a tour to enjoy Bruges. The historic center is compact and easy to explore on foot, and taking the train from Brussels gives you much more flexibility over when you arrive and leave.

That said, a guided tour can work well if you want more context about Bruges’ medieval history, architecture, and landmarks. Or maybe you want to let someone else handle the logistics. That’s cool, too. Here’s an example of a tour like that.

You can also take the train independently and join a guided tour once you arrive, which gives you the best of both worlds. Here are a few options for tours like that:

How much time do you need in Bruges?

You only need a few hours in Bruges to see the main highlights. A full day lets you explore at a more relaxed pace, but even a half-day is enough for a worthwhile visit from Brussels.

The Perfect Bruges Day Trip Itinerary

If you’re visiting Bruges from Brussels for the day, I’d start early and plan to spend most of your time exploring on foot. Here’s the basic flow I’d recommend:

Morning: Arrive at Bruges Station, walk into the historic center, then explore the Markt, Belfry, Burg, and surrounding streets.

Afternoon: Have some lunch, then enjoy the canals/Rozenhoedkaai, chocolate shops, and a museum or other sights.

Evening: Head south through the Begijnhof and Minnewater Lake, then grab a Belgian beer and dinner before returning to the station.

I’ve detailed all of these stops, plus a few alternatives for food, drinks, and rainy-day activities, below.

Things to Do in Bruges

Once you’ve arrived at the main station in Bruges, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the main attractions.

Start with brunch at House of Waffles.

A woman eats waffles with coffee in Bruges.

You’ll want to fuel up on your walking tour. Delicious sweet and savory options await at House of Waffles. Whether you’re there in a group or solo, try one of each.

The ham and cheese are delicious, as is their cherry option on the sweet side. Try a sweet waffle, Liege-style. Those are a bit thicker to handle the heft of those cherries.

See the view from the Belfry of Bruges (Belfort van Brugge).

The Belfry of Bruges was closed when we visited, so we missed out on the panoramic views from the top of the tower. It was still worth a look from the outside, though, as it’s an impressive structure.

If you’re luckier than I was, you’re in for a treat in the form of 366 steps up to the top of the belfry. Check online for any scheduled maintenance and to purchase tickets online in advance.

Spend some time strolling around the Markt, the old market square in Bruges, once you’re done at the belfry.

Fun fact: Bruges’ entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city’s grand place for good reason.

Treat yourself at Chocolatier Dumon.

This chocolate shop off the Markt had some of the friendliest service I’d encountered up to that point while in Belgium. I purchased a box of chocolates, letting the chocolate maker take over and choose the best treats.

She explained every single one in detail, putting quite a bit of thought into what would just be devoured upon arrival.

If you’re seeking a little extra sugar, head to Brown Sugar. They have a variety of sweet treats available, but they’re known for their marzipan.

I’m not a huge fan of marzipan, but if you like eating Play-Doh, I won’t judge.

Visit Burg, a historic square.

Just east of the Markt sits Burg, another important square in Bruges. See Bruges City Hall, one of the oldest of its kind in the region, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, or Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed.

The 12th-century chapel inside the Catholic basilica allegedly houses a cloth stained with the blood of Jesus Christ. It was allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea back in the day. You can bet this is a site of pilgrimage for visitors across faiths.

Snap some photos at the Quay of the Rosary (Rozenhoedkaai).

If you’re seeking postcard-perfect views, head to this section of the canals that run throughout the city.

This is where the Dijver and Groenerei canals meet, a perfect confluence of historical buildings and blooming foliage if you time things right. With more time and plentiful sunshine, you can plan a canal cruise for a different perspective.

Either way, take your time shooting those Instagram pics here, friends. This is Bruges at its best.

Find your favorite windmill.

No, you’re not in the Netherlands. You’re still in Belgium, a country that also has a penchant for lovely windmills.

If you’re short on time, head to Sint-Janshuismolen first. You’ll have a second windmill on the hilltop nearby, marked generically on most maps as “Windmill,” for plenty of opportunities for playful photo shoots.

The nearby Bonne-Chière mill is the third in the set, offering plenty of windmill action for little effort.

Stroll Minnewater Lake.

One of the most picturesque spots in Bruges, Minnewater Lake is an ideal setting for a picnic or a smooch or two if you’re traveling with your honey.

Stroll over Lovers Bridge with your partner to ensure that your love will last forever.

Traveling solo? No worries. I’m all about self-love, so get yourself over that bridge, friend.

The restaurant on the other side, Kasteel Minnewater, is worth a stop for a drink if you’re willing to deal with the sauciness of the owners.

We described this place as somewhat of a missed opportunity. The views are spectacular. The service is hilariously inconsistent. Grab a cocktail or two and enjoy it anyway. This one is cash only, though, so come with those bills.

Do some learning at one of the Bruges museums.

We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather on our day trip to Bruges.

If you find yourself having to escape some rain, a common occurrence in these parts, check out some of the best museums in Bruges:

Torture Museum: The Torture Museum Oude Steen is housed in the oldest prison in Bruges. You’ll see old artifacts of torture in the old cellar there, complete with wax figures demonstrating what all went down there back in the day.
Groeningemuseum: The Groeningemuseum is Bruges’ best art gallery, full of Flemish fine arts and Renaissance works. Scenes vary from classical portraits and landscapes to more surrealist works.
Sint-Janshospitaal: The medieval Hospital of St. John is now a museum dedicated not only to medical instruments from that time period but also to works of art by 15th-century painter Hans Memling.

Have a happy hour at De Garre.

A group of men prepares to enter a bar in Bruges.

This pub has two levels of delicious regional brews in a somewhat hidden location down an alley. Try their house beer or whatever’s fresh when you arrive.

Fun fact: Every order at De Garre comes with a side of soft cheeses and nuts to snack on while you’re getting properly lubricated for the train ride home. They have additional snacks available to order, but you’re not here for a full meal.

If you’ve got room for more beer on your Bruges day trip, head to 2be Beer. This one is a shop and beer museum with an extensive drink list and views of the river if you sit out on the terrace.

Le Trappiste is another option that was on our list for the atmosphere potential. This one is located inside an 800-year-old medieval cellar. They have over two dozen beers on tap at any given moment.

Linger at the best restaurants in Bruges.

Bruges isn’t just steeped in scenery. It’s delicious, too. You don’t need to stop at waffles while you’re here. Walk into any of the cafes that intrigue you, or finish off your day with a place that’s quintessentially Belgian.

Arthie’s will scratch your Belgian food itch with excellent service to boot. If you haven’t had your fill of mussels yet, their moules are quite yummy. Sit out on the back patio if you’re visiting on a warm day. Reservations aren’t necessary.

De Gastro (From Gastro), a family-run eatery, is another option that was on our list. Expect your meal here to be a little more upscale. You can book tables for this one online.

What to Know Before Your Bruges Day Trip

A little planning will make your day in Bruges breezier. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Check the events calendar. We were there during a day of cycling trials, which we hadn’t planned for, and the atmosphere was festive. It was also noticeably more crowded, though, so do your research if you’d prefer a quieter experience.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on those cobblestone streets, especially if you’re following my suggested itinerary. We like those steps.
Start early. Bruges gets significantly busier as the day goes on, particularly around the main sights.
Ditch the rental car. The historic center is compact and easy to explore on foot from the train station. Navigating parking in Bruges looked dreadful, too.
Book popular attractions ahead of time. If you know you want to climb the Belfry or visit a specific museum, check availability for those activities before your trip.

Can you visit Bruges and Ghent in one day?

If you don’t mind a long day, day trips to both Ghent and Bruges from Brussels are a popular combination, as you won’t be going out of the way to make it happen.

Ghent is even closer to Brussels than Bruges, so it’s easy to do on a half-day trip if you want to dedicate a full day to Bruges. Honestly, Bruges begs for long strolls and easy chats over waffles and beer, but I’m not the gatekeeper of your trip planning.

If you want someone else to plan your day to both, check out these tour options:

Bruges is definitely worth visiting.

Our day trip from Brussels to Bruges was my favorite part of our first trip to Belgium, and finding your own adventure along those cobbled streets is part of the fun.

It’s also a delicious place with charming spots to occupy your time if you’re here for a more indulgent day.

Looking for more adventures nearby? Check out these guides:

More European destinations to visit next time:

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